Zeeland East high jumper is No. 1 seed heading into championships

Saturday

High jumper Sara Nitz didn’t expect to clear 5 feet, 5 inches this season, let alone contend for a state championship in her event.

It’s been a breakthrough season for the Zeeland East junior.

Nitz is the No. 1 seed in the high jump heading into today’s Division 2 state track and field championships at Zeeland Stadium.

Seeds are based on regional performances. Marine City’s Jessica Rombach and St. Joseph’s Caitlyn Bonczkowski also made 5-5 but are seeded lower than Nitz because they needed more attempts.

High jumper Sara Nitz didn’t expect to clear 5 feet, 5 inches this season, let alone contend for a state championship in her event.

IF YOU GO
What: Division 2 state track and field championships
Where: Zeeland Stadium
When:T oday, 9:30 a.m. field events; 10 a.m. running preliminaries
Tickets: $6, available at the gate
It’s been a breakthrough season for the Zeeland East junior.

Nitz is the No. 1 seed in the high jump heading into today’s Division 2 state track and field championships at Zeeland Stadium.

Seeds are based on regional performances. Marine City’s Jessica Rombach and St. Joseph’s Caitlyn Bonczkowski also made 5-5 but are seeded lower than Nitz because they needed more attempts.

“I have no idea,” Nitz said of the reason for her performance this spring. She even cleared 5-9 during a regular-season meet.

“My goal this season was 5-4. It’s definitely a big jump,” Nitz said. “I did a big of weight lifting during basketball, but 5-9 is still six inches higher than my best jump from last year.”

Nitz has qualified for state in the high jump two years in a row. She will be joined at state by teammate Lydia Brower, who’s competing in the shot put.

Not bad for someone who came out for the track team as a sophomore, Zeeland East girls track coach Steve Turner said.

“When she qualified for state last year, that opened her eyes to the possibility of doing well this year,” Turner said. “I don’t believe winning state was the goal, but she set out at the beginning of the year to improve on last year. She’s progressively jumped better throughout of the year.”

BLOG
Zeeland schools ready to showcase their facilities and people again. Read more at blogs.hollandsentinel.com/alan.
Turner praised the impact assistant coach Emily Hoogewind had on Nitz.
Hoogewind competed in the high jump for Zeeland High School. She did to help out Turner after receiving encouragement from a friend.

“It’s been a real benefit to have a dedicated coach in that area,” Turner said. “As a track coach, you get spread around to several events. You can’t always be at the high jump.”
“She found her rhythm and her confidence this year,” Hoogewind said of Nitz. “I taught her to relax. She took it from there.

“She’s got a great attitude, even when she’s competing against other school. She gives it her all.”

High jump is a demanding event physically and mentally, Hoogewind added.
It’s not as simple as running up the bar and jumping over it.

“It’s hard on your knees. It’s hard on your back,” Hoogewind said. “If you hit the bar, it can be hard on your lower body. It takes a lot of physical work.

“There is a good amount of timing. You’ve got to find your step and your approach, then throw yourself in the air and jump as high as you can go. Then you want to arch your back.

“Sara’s worked hard.”

Nitz also faced the pressure being a top seed.

She said she is remaining calm as the meet approaches. It’s already been a satisfying season.

“I just want to do my best,” Nitz said. “I would love to win state, but if I don’t, I have a shot next year.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.